Use of water-soluble β-(1,3) glucans as agents for producing therapeutic skin treatment agents

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the use of water soluble β-(1,3) glucans, which are essentially free from (1,6) links as active ingredients agents for producing therapeutic skin treatment agents. Said products strengthen the skin&#39;s immune system, counteract the formation of wrinkles and can be used to treat psoriasis and eczemic conditions.

This is the National Phase Application of PCT/EP00/01830 filed Mar. 3, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of specific water soluble β-(1,3) glucans as active agents for combating the formation of wrinkles in the skin as well as skin diseases such as for example dandruff tetter, psoriasis or UV erythemas.

PRIOR ART

The formation of wrinkles caused by increasing age is induced through the degradation of different macro molecules such as for example elastin and collagen, which are responsible for the elastases. Many inflammatory skin diseases, such as for example psoriasis or UV erythema, can also be causatively be linked to an increased concentration of serine proteases, such as e.g. elastase in the upper skin areas [see R. Voegeli et al. in Cosm. Toil. 111, 51(1996)].

The formation of wrinkles in the skin is normally not counteracted by means of physiological active principles, but by means of cosmetic agents. Many so-called “anti-aging products” contain liposomes loaded with water or aqueous active agents, which through the fat layer of the skin are reaching the epidermis, where they gradually dissolve and through continuous water release compensate the skin recesses and regulate the moisture content of the skin. However, this effect is no combat against the causes, but only has a so-called “repairing effect”, which only lasts for a short period of time.

In contrast to this pure cosmetic use, cytostatic active agents are e.g. used for the abatement of psoriasis, such as selenium sulfide, cadmium sulfide, zinc pyrithion or corticosteroid, the medical effect of which resides e.g. in a reduction of the mitose activity in the basal membrane. However, because of the known side effects these substances should not be used over extended periods of time. Further it is possible to alleviate, but not healing, psoriasis by means of antiseptic active agents, such as for example selenium oxide, salicylic acid, pyrithione derivatives, hexachlorophene or quaternary ammonium compounds or by means of cell dissolving and fat removing active substances such as for example benzoy peroxide or tar extracts.

The use of specific polysaccharides as agents against the skin aging is also known from prior art. It has for example been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,491 to use a carboxymethylated β-1,3 glucan, which has been extracted from the yeast fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae, for topical use. However, the glucan is insoluble in water and can therefore only be formulated with large difficulties.

In the European patent application EP-A1 0463540 (Taito) the use of glucans against viruses is described. According to the teachings in the two papers DE-A1 3744345 (Lomapharm) and EP-B1 0175667 (Larm) glucans are only suited for stimulation of the activity of macrophages. The pharmaceutical effect of different glucans is further known from the two European patent applications EP-A1 045338 (Debat) and EP-A1 0561408 (Kaken). The object of the European patent EP-B1 0500718 (Donzis) is the use of water insoluble β-(1,3) glucans, which have been obtained from the cell walls of yeasts, for revitalisation of the skin.

Also known from the prior art are very different solutions known for smoothing of the skin and strengthening of the barrier function from a cosmetic or medical view, which only solve a part of the problem and which may have strong side effects. Especially reference is made to the international patent application WO 98/40082 (Henkel), wherein the use of water soluble β-(1,3) glucans as active agents for the skin treatment is described. These glucans, which preferably are schizopyhallan or krestin, i.e. extracts of fungi, have in practice not shown to be sufficiently effective. The complex task of the invention was therefore further to provide active agents which could be used against formation of wrinkles in the skin (cosmetic effect) as well as skin diseases (medical effect), and which can be both dermatological and toxicological tolerated and which improve the prior art, as described in WO 94/40082.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is the use of water soluble β-(1,3) glucans, which are substantially free from (1,6) linkages, as active agents for preparation of therapeutical agents for skin treatment and skin vitalization, especially for manufacturing of agents which at the same time work against skin aging and formation of wrinkles erythemas and which at the same time stimulate the growth of cells.

Surprisingly it was found that water soluble β-glucans which practically do not have (1,6) linkages, in the Langerhans cells in the deeper skin layers initiate an immuno modulation, whereby the special cytokines are produced and which are significantly superior to the known glucans of the prior art (according to WO 98/40082), which have a significant amount of (1,6) linkages.

Water Soluble β-(1,3) Glucans

The term glucans is intended to mean homopolysaccharides based on glucose. Depending on sterical linking there is a difference between β-(1,3), β-(1,4) and β-(1,6) glucans. β-(1,3) Glucans normally show a helical structure, whereas glucans with a (1,4) linkage generally have a linear structure. The β-glucans of the invention have a (1,3) structure, i.e. they are substantillay free from undesired (1,6) linkages. Preferably such β-(1,3) glucans are used where the side chains exclusively show (1,3) linkages. Especially the agents contain glucans which are obtained on the basis of yeast from the family Sacchaomyces, especially Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Glucans of this type are available in technical amounts according to known methods. The international patent application WO 95/30022 (Biotec-Mackzymal) describes e.g. a method for producing such substances, wherein glucans with β-(1,3) and β-(1,6) linkages are brought in contact with β-(1,6) glucanases in such a way, that practically all β-(1,6) linkages are loosened. Preferably used for the manufacture of these glucans are glucanases based on Trichodermia harzianum. As to the manufacture and availability of the glucans contained in these agents, reference is made to the above cited publication.

Commercial Applicability

For the purpose of the invention the water soluble β-(1,3) glucans find use as active agents for manufacturing cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical preparations. Typical examples of such agents are skin care agents such as for example anti-wrinkling cremes, anti-cellulitis cremes or sun protection lotions as well as ointments for treating skin diseases such as for example cradle cap, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrhea sicca, seborrhea oleosa, psoriasis vulgaris, ichtyoses or UV erythemas. Normally the water soluble β-glucans can be used in amounts of 0.1 to 25, preferably 0.5 to 15 and especially 1 to 5% by weight, based on the agents. The agents can further as additional auxiliary and additional agents contain mild surfactants, oil bodies, emulsifiers, hyperfatting agents, pearl lustre waxes, consistency substances, thickening agents, polymers, silicon compounds, fats, waxes, stabilizing agents, biogenic active substances, deodorants, agents against dandruff, film forming agents, swelling agents, UV light protection factors, antioxidants, inorganic colour pigments, hydrotropes, preservatives, insect repellents, self tanning agents, solubilizing agents, perfume oils, colouring agents and such like.

Typical examples of suitable mild, i.e. especially skin compatible surfactants are fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulphates, monoglyceride sulphates, mono- and/or dialkyl sulfosuccinates, fatty acid isethionates, fatty acid sarcosinates, fatty acid taurides, fatty acid glutamates, α-olefine sulphonates, ethercarboxylic acids, alkyl oligoglucosides, fatty acid glucamides, alkylamido betaines and/or protein fatty acid condensates, the last mentioned preferably based on wheat proteins.

As oil bodies use can be made of for example Guerbet alcohols based on fatty alcohols with 6 to 18, preferably 8 to 10 carbon atoms, esters of linear C₆-C₂₂ fatty acids with linear C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols, esters of branched C₆-C₁₃ carboxylic acids with linear C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols, such as e.g. myristyl myristate, myristyl palmitate, myristyl stearate, myristyl isostearate, myristyl oleate, myristyl behenate, myristyl erucate, cetyl myristate, cetyl palmitate, cetyl stearate, cetyl isostearate, cetyl oleate, cetyl behenate, cetyl erucate, stearyl myristate, stearyl palmitate, stearyl stearate, stearyl isostearate, stearyl oleate, stearyl behenate, stearyl erucate, isostearyl myristate, isostearyl palmitate, isostearyl stearate, isostearyl isostearate, isostearyl oleate, isosteayl behenate, isostearyl oleate, oleyl myristate, oleyl palmitate, oleyl stearate, oleyl isostearate, oleyl oleate, oleyl behenate, oleyl erucate, behenyl myristate, behenyl palmitate, behenyl stearate, behenyl isostearate, behenyl oleate, behenyl behenate, behenyl erucate, erucyl myristate, erucyl palmitate, erucyl stearate, erucyl isostearate, erucyl oleate, erucyl behenate and erucyl erucate. In additon esters of linear C₆-C₂₂ fatty acids with branched alcohols, especially 2-ethylhexanol, esters of hydroxycarboxylic acids with linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols, especially dioctyl malate, esters of linear and/or branched fatty acids with polyvalent alcohols (such as e.g. propylene glycol, dimeric diol or trimeric triol) and/or Guerbet alcohols, triglycerides based on C₆-C₁₀ fatty acids, liquid mixtures of mono-/di-/triglycerides based on C₆-C₁₈ fatty acids, esters of C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols and/or Guerbet alcohols with aromatic carboxylic acids, especially benzoic acid, esters of C₂-C₁₂ dicarboxylic acids with linear or branched alcohols with 1 to 22 carbon atoms or polyols with 2 to 10 carbon atoms and 2 to 6 hydroxyl groups, plant oils, branched primary alcohols, substituted cyclohexanes, linear and branched C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohol carbonates, Guerbet carbonates, esters of benzoic acid with linear and/or branched C₆-C₂₂ alcohols (e.g. Finsolv® TN), linear or branched, symmetrical or unsymmetrical dialkyl ethers with 6 to 22 carbon atoms in each alkyl group, ring opening products of epoxydated fatty acid esters with polyols, silicone oils and/or aliphatic or naphthenic hydrocarbons, such as e.g. squalan, squalen or dialkyl cyclohexanes, can be used

As emulsifiers for example nonionic surfactants from at least one of the following groups may be used:

-   -   (1) Addition products of 2 to 30 moles ethylene oxide and/or 0         to 5 moles propylene oxide on linear fatty alcohols with 8 to 22         C atoms, on fatty acids with 12 to 22 C atoms and on alkyl         phenols with 8 to 15 C atoms in the alkyl group;     -   (2) C_(12/18) fatty acid mono- and -diesters of addition         products of 1 to 30 moles ethylene oxide and glycerol;     -   (3) glycerol mono- and diesters and sorbitan mono- and diesters         of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with 6 to 22 carbon         atoms and their ethylene oxide addition products;     -   (4) alkyl mono- and oligoglycosides with 8 to 22 carbon atoms in         the alkyl group and their ethoxylated analogues;     -   (5) addition products of 15 to 60 moles ethylene oxide on         ricinus oil and/or hardened ricinus oil;     -   (6) polyol and especially polyglycerol esters, such as e.g.         polyglycerol polyricinoleate, polyglycerol         poly-12-hydroxystearate or polyglycerol dimerate isostearate,         and also mixtures of compounds from more of these classes of         substances;     -   (7) addition products of 2 to 15 moles ethylene oxide on ricinus         oil and/or hardened ricinus oil;     -   (8) partial esters based on linear, branched, unsaturated or         saturated C_(6/22) fatty acids, ricinolic acid and 12-hydroxy         stearic acid and glycerol, polyglycerol, pentaerythrite,         dipentaerythrite, sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol), alkyl         glucosides (e.g. methyl glucoside, butyl glucoside, lauryl         glucoside) as well as polyglucosides (e.g. cellulose);     -   (9) mono-, di- and trialkylphosphates as well as mono-, di-         and/or tri-PEG alkylphosphates and their salts;     -   (10) wool wax alcohols;     -   (11) polysiloxane/polyalkyl/polyether copolymers or         corresponding derivatives;     -   (12) mixed esters of pentaerythrite, fatty acids, citric acid         and fatty alcohol according to DE 1165574 PS and/or mixed esters         of fatty acids with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, methyl glucose and         polyols, preferably glycerol or polyglycerol,     -   (13) polyalkylene glycols, as well as     -   (14) glycerol carbonate.

The addition products of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide on fatty alcohols, fatty acids, alkyl phenols, glycerol mono- and diesters as well as sorbitan mono- and -diesters of fatty acids or on ricinus oil are known products which are commercially available. They are mixtures of homologous substances, with average degree of alkoxylation corresponding to the ratio of the amounts of the substances ethylene oxide and/or propylen oxide and substrate, with which the addition reaction is carried out. C_(12/18) fatty acid mono- and -diesters of addition products of ethylene oxide on glycerol are known from DE 2024051 PS as revertive fatting agents for cosmetic preparations.

C_(8/18) alkyl mono- and oligoglycosides, their manufacture and their use is known from prior art. Their preparation can especially be carried out by reaction of glucose or oligosaccharides with primary alcohols having 8 to 18 C atoms. With regard to the glycoside residue both monoglycosides, where a cyclic sugar group is glycosidic bond to the fatty alcohol, and oligomeric glycosides with a degree of oligomerisation until preferably about 8, are suitable. The degree of oligomerization is then a statistical mean value, based on a distribution of homologues which is usual for such products of technical quality.

Zwitterionic surfactants can also be used as emulsifiers. The term zwitterionic surfactants is intended to mean such surface active compounds which in their molecule have at least a quatenary ammonium group and at least one carboxylate and one sulphonate group. Especially suitable zwitterionic surfactants are the so-called betaines such as the N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium glycinates, for example the coco alkyldimethyl ammonium glycinate, N-acylaminopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium glycinate, for example the coco acylaminopropyl dimethyl ammonium glycinate, and 2-alkyl-3-carboxylmethyl-hydroxyethyl imidazoline with in each case 8 to 18 C atoms in the alkyl or acyl-groups, as well as the coco acylaminoethyl hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl glycinate. Especially preferred is that under the CTFA term cocamidopropyl betaine known fatty acid amide derivative. Also suitable emulsifiers are ampholytic surfactants. Ampholytic surfactants are such surface active compounds which in addition to a C_(8/18) alkyl or acyl group in the molecule at least contain a free amino group and at least one —COOH or —SO₃H group and which can form inner salts. Examples of suitable ampholytic surfactants are N-alkyl glycines, N-alkyl propionic acids, N-alkyl aminobutyric acids, N-alkyl iminodipropionic acids, N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkylamidopropyl glycines, N-alkyltaurines, N-alkylsarcosines, 2-alkylaminopropionic acids and alkylamino acetic acids with in each case about 8 to 18 C atoms in the alkyl group. Especially preferable ampholytic surfactants are the N-coco alkylamino propionate, the coco acylamino ethylaminopropionate and the C_(12/18) acylsarcosine. In addition to the ampholytic, also quaternary emulsifiers can be used, of which ester salts of the type of esterquats, preferably methylquaternised di-fatty acid triethanolamine ester salts, are especially preferable.

As hyperfafting agents substances such as for example lanolin and lecithin as well as polyethoxylated or acylated lanolin and lecithin derivatives, polyol fatty acid esters, monoglycerides and fatty acid alkanolamides can be used, whereby the last mentioned at the same time act as foam stabilisers.

As exemplary pearl gloss waxes the following should be mentioned: Alkylene glycolester, especially ethyleneglycol distearate; fatty acid alkanolamides, especially coco fatty acid diethanolamide; partial glycerides, especially stearic acid monoglyceride; esters of polyvalent, possibly hydroxysubstituted carboxylic acids with fatty alcohols with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, especially long chain esters of tartaric acid; fat substances, such as for example fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty aldehydes, fatty ethers and fatty carbonates, wherin the sum of carbon atoms is at least 24, especially lauron and distearyl ethers; fatty acids such as stearic acid, hydroxystearic acid or behenic acid, ring opening products of olefine epoxides with 12 to 22 carbon atoms with fatty alcohols with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and/or polyols with 2 to 15 carbon atoms and 2 to 10 hydroxyl groups as well as their mixtures.

As consistency givers preferably use is made of fatty alcohols or hydroxy fatty alcohols with 12 to 22 and preferably 16 to 18 carbon atoms and additionally partial giycerides, fatty acids or hydroxy fatty acids. A combination of these substances with alkyl oligoglucosides and/or fatty acid-N-methyl glucamides with the same chain length and/or polyglycerol-poly-12-hydroxy stearates.

Suitable thickening agents are for example types of aerosil (hydrophilic silicic acids), polysaccharides, especially xanthan gum, guar-guar, agar-agar, alginates and tyloses, carboxymethyl celluloses and hydroxyethyl celluloses, as well as higher molecular polyethylenglycol mono- and diesters of fatty acids, polyacrylates, (e.g. Carbopols® from Goodrich or Synthalenes® from Sigma), poly-acrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, surfactants such as for example ethoxylated fatty acid glycerides, ester of fatty acids with polyols such as for example pentaerythrite or trimethylolpropane, fatty alcohol ethoxytates with narrow distribution of homologous or alkyl oligoglucosides as well as electrolytes such as sodium chloride and ammonium chloride.

Suitable cationic polymers are for example cationic cellulose derivatives, such as e.g. a quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose, which is available under the name of Polymer JR 400® from Amerchol, cationic starch, copolymers of diallyl ammonium salts and acrylamides, quaternized vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazol polymers, such as e.g. Luviquat® (BASF), condensation products of polyglycols and amines, quaternized collagen polypeptides, such as for example lauryl dimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed collagen (Lamequat®L/Grünau), quaternized wheat polypeptides, polyethyleneimine, cationic silicone polymers, such as e.g. amidomethicones, copolymers of adipic acid and dimethylamino hydroxypropyl diethylenetriamine (Cartaretine®/Sandoz), copolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyl diallylammonium chloride (Merquat® 550/Chemviron), polyamino polyamides, such as e.g. described in FR 2252840 A, as well as their cross-linked water soluble polymers, cationic chitin derivatives such as for example quaternized chitosane, possibly micro crystalline distributed, condensation products of dihalogen alkyls, such as e.g. dibromobutane with bisdialkylamines, such as e.g. bis-dimethylamino-1,3-propane, cationic guar-gum, such as e.g. Jaguar® CBS, Jaguar® C-17, Jaguar® C-16 from Celanese, quaternised ammonium salt polymers, such as e.g. Mirapol® A-15, Mirapol® AD-1, Mirapol® AZ-1 from Miranol.

As exemplary anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and non-ionic polymers the following can be used: Vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acrylate copolymers, vinyl acetate/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymers, methyl vinylether/maleic acid anhydride copolymers and their esters, non-cross-linked and with polyols cross-linked polyacrylic acids, acrylamido propyltrimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylate copolymers, octylacrylamide/methyl methacrylate/ tert.-butylaminoethyl methacrylate/2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone/vinylacetate copolymers, vinylpyrrolidon/ dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate/vinyl caprolactam terpolymers as well as possibly derivatized cellulose ethers and silicones.

Suitable silicon compounds are for example dimethyl polysiloxane, methylphenyl polysiloxane, cyclic silicones as well as amino, fatty acid, alcohol, polyether, epoxy, fluorine, glycoside and/or alkyl modified silicon compounds, which at room temperature can be in the liquid as well as in the resin state. Further suitable are simethicones, which are mixtures of dimethicones with an average chain length of 200 to 300 dimethyl siloxane units and hydrogenated silicates. A detailed survey of suitable volatile silicones can also be found in Todd et al., Cosm. Toil. 91, 27 (1976).

Typical exemplary fats are glycerides, and as waxes natural waxes among others, can be used, such as e.g. candelilla wax, carnauba wax, Japan wax, espartogras wax, cork wax, guaruma wax, rice seed oil wax, sugar cane wax, ouricury wax, montan wax, beeswax, shellack wax, spermaceti, lanolin (wool wax), bürzel fat, ceresin, ozokerit (terrestrial wax), petrolatum, paraffin waxes, micro waxes; chemically modified waxes (hard waxes), such as e.g. montanester waxes, sasot waxes, hydrogenated yoyoba waxes as well as synthetic waxes, such as e.g. polyalkylene waxes and polyethylene glycol waxes.

As stabilizers metal salts of fatty acids, such as e.g. magnesium, aluminium and/or zinc stearate or ricinoleate can be used.

As biogenic active substances should be understood for example tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, tocopherol palmitate, ascorbic acid, desoxy ribonucleic acid, retinol, bisabolol, allantoin, phytantriol, panthenol, AHA acids, aminoacids, ceramides, pseudoceramides, essential oils, extracts of plants and vitamin complexes.

As deo active agents e.g. antiperspirants such as aluminium chlorohydrate come into question. This agent is in the form of colourless, hygroscopic crystals, which easily melt in air, and is obtained through evaporation of solutions of aluminium chloride in water. Aluminium chlorohydrate is used for manufacturing of perspiration inhibiting and deodorising preparations and has probably its effect through the partial closure of the perspiratory gland by means of precipitation of proteins and/or polysaccharides [see J.Soc. Cosm.Chem. 24 281 (1973)]. Under the trade name Locron® of Hoechst AG, Frankfurt/FRG, an aluminium chlorohydrate is for example on the market, which corresponds to the formula [Al₂(OH)₅Cl].2.5 H₂O, and use of this is especially preferred (see J.Pharm.Pharmacol. 26 531 (1975)]. In addition to the chlorohydrates also aluminium hydroxylactates as well as acid aluminium/zirconium salts can be used. As further deo active agents esterase inhibitors can be added. These are preferably trialkyl citrates such as trimethyl citrate, tripropyl citrate, triisopropyl citrate, tributyl citrate and especially triethyl citrate (Hydagen® CAT, Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf/FRG). The substances inhibit the enzyme activity and thereby reduce the formation of odours. Probably the free acid is thereby set free through the cleavage of the citric acid ester, and this acid lowers the pH value of the skin so much that the enzymes thereby are inhibited. Further substances which can be used as estersase inhibitors are sterol sulphates or phosphates, such as for example lanosterol, cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol sulphate or phosphate, Dicarboxylic acids and their esters, such as for example glutaric acid, glutaric acid monoethylester, glutaric acid diethylester, adipic acid, adipic acid monoethylester, adipic acid diethylester, malonic acid and malonic acid diethylester, hydroxycarboxylic acids and their esters, such as for example citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or tartaric acid diethylester. Antibacterial active substances, which influence the germ flora and kill sweat destroying bacteria or inhibit their growth, can also be contained in the pin preparations. Examples of this are chitosan, phenoxyethanol and chlorohexidin gluconate. Also 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophen-oxy)-phenol has shown to have an especially good effect, and this product is marketed under the trade name Irgasan® by Ciba-Geigy, Basel/CH.

As anti dandruff agents climbazol, octopirox and zinc pyrethion can be used. Useable film formation agents are for example chitosan, microcrystalline chitosan, quaternary chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidon, vinylpyrrolidon/vinylacetate copolymers, polymers of the acrylic acids, quaternary derivatives of cellulose, collagen, hyaluronic acid or its salts and similar compounds. As swelling agents for aqueous phases montmorillonite, clay mineral substances, pemulen, as well as alkylmodified Carbopol types (Goodrich) can be used. Further suitable polymers or swelling agents can be found in the survey of R. Lochhead in Cosm. Toil. 108, 95 (1993).

UV light protection factors are e.g organic substances (light protection filters) which by room temperature are in liquid or crystalline form, and which are capable of absorbing ultraviolet radiation and to set free the received energy in the form of radiation with long wavelength, e.g. in the form of heat. UVB filters can be soluble in oils or in water. As oil soluble substances the following are mentioned as examples:

-   -   3-Benzyliden camphor, respectively 3-benzylidene norcamphor and         the derivatives thereof, e.g. 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor as         described in EP-B1 0693471;     -   4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably 4-(dimethylamino)         benzoic acid 2-ethylhexylester, 4-(dimethylamino) benzoic acid         2-octylester and 4-(dimethylamino) benzoic acid amylester;     -   esters of cinnamonic acid, preferably 4-methoxy cinnamonic acid         2-ethylhexylester, 4-methoxy cinnamonic acid propylester,         4-methoxy cinnamonic acid isoamylester, 2-cyano-3,3-phenyl         cinnamonic acid 2-ethythexylester (octocrylene);     -   esters of salicylic acid, preferably salicylic acid         2-ethylhexylester, salicylic acid 4-isopropyl benzylester,         salicylic acid homomenthylester;

derivatives of benzophenone, preferably 2-hydroxy4-methoxy benzophenone, 2-hydroxy4-methoxy-4′-methyl benzophenone, 2,2′-dihydroxy4-methoxy benzophenone;

-   -   esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably 4-methoxy benzmalonic         acid 2-ethylhexyl ester,     -   triazine derivatives, such as e.g.         2,4,6-trianilino-(p-carbo-2′-ethyl-1′-hexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine         and octyltriazone, as described in EP A1 0818450;     -   propane-1,3-diones, such as         e.g.1-(4-tert.-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxy-phenyl)-propane-1,3-dion;     -   ketotricyclo(5,2,1,0)-decane derivatives, as described in         EP-B1 06945521. As water soluble substances the following can be         mentioned:     -   2-Phenylbenzimidazol-5-sulphonic acid and the alkali, alkaline         earth, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium and glucammonium         salts;     -   sulphonic acid derivatives of benzophenones, preferably         2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenon-5-sulphonic acid and their salts;     -   sulphonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidencamphen, such as e.g.         4-(2-oxo-3-bornylidenmethyl)-benzene sulphonic acid and         2-methyl-5-(2-oxo-bornyliden) sulphonic acid and their salts.

As typical UV-A filters especially derivatives of benzoyl methane comes in question, such as e.g. β-(4′-tert.-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dion, 4-tert.butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoyl-methane (Parsol 1789), or 1-phenyl-3-(4′-isopropylphenyl-propane-1,3-dion. The UV-A and UV-B filters can of course also be used in mixtures. In this case combinations of octocrylene or camphor derivatives with butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane are especially photosensitive.

In addition to the mentioned soluble substances also insoluble light protection pigments can be used for this purpose, i.e. fine disperse metal oxides or salts. Examples of suitable metal oxides are especially zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and in addition other oxides of iron, zirconium, silicon, manganese, aluminium and cerium, as well as their mixtures. As salts silicates tall, barium sulphate or zinc stearate can be used. The oxides and salts are used in the form of the pigments for skin caring and skin protecting emulsions and decorative cosmetics. The particles should have an average diameter of less than 100 nm, preferably between 5 and 50 nm and especially between 15 and 30 nm. They can have a spherical shape, but particles can also be used which have an ellipsoidal form or else have a shape which differs from the spherical shape. In sun protecting agents preferably so-called micro or nano pigments are used. Preferably micronized zinc oxide is used. Further suitable,UV light protection factors can be found in the survey by P. Finkel in SÖFW-Journal 122, 543 (1996). Likewise suitable are herbal extracts with UV absorbing or antioxidative properties.

In addition to the primary light protection substances also secondary light protection substances of the antioxidant type find use, which interrupt the photochemichal reaction chain, which is initiated when UV radiation penetrates the skin. Typical examples of such are amino acids (e.g. glycin, histidin, tyrosin, tryptophan) and their derivatives, imidazoles (e.g. urocaninic acid) and their derivatives, peptides such as D,L-camosine, D-camosine, L-camosine and their derivatives (e.g. anserine), carotinoides, carotine (e.g. α-carotin, β-carotin, lycopin) and their derivatives, chlorogenic acid and its derivatives, liponic acid and its derivatives (e.g. dihydroliponic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and other thiols (e.g. thioredoxin, glutathion, cystein, cystin, cystamine and their glycosyl, n-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl and lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, γ-linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters) as well as their salts, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and their derivatives (esters, ethers, peptides, lipides, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts) as well as sulfoximine compounds (e.g. buthionin sulfoximines, homocystein sulfoximines, butionin sulfones, penta-, hexa-, hepta-thionin sufoximine) in very small compatible doses (e.g. pmol to μmol/kg), further (metal) chelating agents (e.g. α-hydroxy fatty acids, palmitic acid, phytinic acid, lactoferrine), α-hydroxy acids (e.g. citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humin acid, gallic acid, gallic extracts, bilirubin, bifiverdin, EDTA, EGTA and their derivatives, unsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g. γ-linolenic acid, linolic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and their derivatives, ubichinon and ubichinol and their derivatives, vitamin C and derivatives (e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, Mg-ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl acetate), tocopheroles and derivatives (e.g. vitamin E acetate), vitamin A and derivatives (vitamin A patmitate) as well as koniferyl benzoate of benzoe resin, rutinic acid and their derivatives, α-glycosylrutin, ferula acid, furfuryliden glucitol, carnosine, butylhydroxy toluene, butylhydroxy anisol, nordihydro guajak resin acid, nordihydro guajaret acid, trihydroxy butyrophenon, uric acid and their derivatives, mannose and its derivatives, super oxide dismutase, zinc and its derivatives (e.g. ZnO, ZnSO₄), selen and its derivatives (e.g. selen-methionin), stilbenes and their derivatives (e.g. stilben oxide, trans-stilben oxide) and the derivatives suitable according to the invention (salts, esters, ethers, sugars, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides and lipids) of these mentioned active substances.

For improvement of the flow properties further hydrotropes, such as for example ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or polyols can be used. Polyols which in this case can be used preferably have 2 to 15 carbon atoms and at least two hydroxyl groups. The polyols can further contain additional functional groups, especially amino groups, or be modified with nitrogen. Typical examples are:

-   -   Glycerol;     -   alkylen glycols, such as for example ethylene glycol, diethylene         glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol as         well as polyethylen glycols with an average molecular weight         from 100 to 1000 Daltons;     -   oligoglycerol mixtures of technical quality with a         self-condensation degree of 1.5 to 10, such as e.g. technical         quality diglycerol mixtures with a diglycerol content of 40 to         50% by weight;     -   methyol compounds, such as especially trimethylol ethane,         trimethylol propane, trimethylol butane, pentaerythrite and         dipentaerythrite;     -   low alkyl glucosides, especially such with 1 to 8 carbons in the         alkyl residue, such as for example methyl and butyl glucoside;     -   sugar alcohols with 5 to 12 carbon atoms, such as for example         sorbitol or mannit;     -   sugars with 5 to 12 carbon atoms, such as for example glucose or         saccharose;     -   aminosugars, such as for example glucamine;     -   dialcoholamines, such as diethanolamine or         2-amino-1,3-propanediol.

As preservatives for example phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde solution, parabene, pentanediol or sorbic acid as well as those mentioned in enclosure 6, parts A and B of the cosmetic regulation, are further classes of substances. As insect repellents N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, 1,2-pentanediol or insect repellent 3535 come into question, as self tanning agent dihydroxyaceton is suited.

As perfume oils mixtures of natural and synthetic scent substances should be mentioned. Natural scent substances are extracts of flowers (lilies, lavendel, roses, jasmin, neroli, ylang-ylang), stems and blades (geranium, patchouli, petitgrain), fruits (anis, coriander, caraway, juniper), fruit shells (bergamot, lemon, orange), roots (macis, angelica, celery, kardamon, costus, iris, calmus), wood (stone pine, sandel, guajac, cedar, rosewood), herbs and grass (tarragon, lemongrass, sage, thyme), needles and twigs (spruce, fir, pine, traipsed), resins and balsams (galbanum, elemi, benzoe, myrrh, olibanum, opoponax). Raw materials from animals are also possible, such as for example zibet and castoreum. Typical synthetic odour compounds are products from types of esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and hydrocarbons. Odour compounds from types of esters are e.g. benzyl acetate, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, p-tert.butylcyclohexyl acetate, linalyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinyl acetate, phenylethyl acetate, linalyl benzoate, benzyl formate, ethylmethylphenyl glycinate, allylcyclohexyl propionate, styrallyl propionate and benzyl salicylate. Benzylethyl ether belongs for example to the ethers, to the aldehydes e.g. the linear alkanales with 8 to 18 carbon atoms, citral, citronellal, citronellyl oxyacetaldehyde, cyclamen aldehyde, hydroxy citronellal, lilial and bourgeonal, to the ketones e.g. the ionones, ∝-isomethyl ionon and methylcedryl ketone, to the alcohols anethol, citronellol, eugenol, isoeugenol, geraniol, linalool, phenylethyl alcohol and terpineol; to the hydrocarbons mainly the terpenes and balsams belong. However, mixtures of different odour substances are preferred, which together give a pleasant smell. Also etheral oils with low volatility, which often are used as aroma components, are suited as perfume oils, e.g. sage oil, chamomile oil, carnation oil, melissa oil, mint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, limeflower oil, juniper berry oil, vetiver oil, oliban oil, galbanum oil, labolanum oil and lavandin oil. Preferably used are bergamot oil, dihydromyrcenol, lilial, lyral, citronellol, phenylethyl alcohol, α-hexylcinnamon aldehyde, geraniol, benzylaceton, cyclamen aldehyde, linalool, boisambrene forte, ambroxane, indol, hedione, sandelice, lemon oil, mandarin oil, orangenoil, allylamyl glycolate, cyclovertal, lavandine oil, muskateller sage oil, β-damascone, geranium oil bourbon, cyclohexyl salicylate, vertofix coeur, iso-E-super, fixolide NP, evemyl, iraidein gamma, phenylacetic acid, geranyl acetate, benzyl acetate, rose oxide, romillate, irotyl and floramate, alone or in mixtures.

As colouring agents such substances which are suited and approved for cosmetic purposes can be used, such as for example those mentioned in the publication “Kosmetische Färbemittel” (cosmetic dyes) of the “Farbstoffkommission der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft”, published by Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1984, p. 81-106. These dyes are generally used in concentrations from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight, based on the whole mixture.

Typical examples of germ inhibiting substances are preservatives with specific effects against gram-positive bacteria, such as 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy diphenylether, chlorohexidin (1,6-di-(4-chlorophenyl-biguanido-hexan) or TCC (3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide). Many scent substances and etheral oils also have antimicrobial properties. Typical examples are the active agents eugenol, menthol and thymol in carnation, mint and thyme oil. An interesting natural deo substance is the terpene alcohol famesol (3,7,11trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol), which is present in lime flower oil and has a smell of lilies of the valley. Also glycerol monolaurate have been used as bacteriostaticum. Normally the content of the further germ inhibiting agent is about 0.1 to 2% by weight—based on the solids content of the preparations.

The cumulative contents of the auxiliary and additional agents can be 1 to 50, preferably 5 to 40% by weight, based on the agents. The manufacture of the agents can take place by common cold or hot processes; preferably the work is carried out according to the phase inversion temperature method.

EXAMPLES

A panel consisting of 15 female probands aged between 35 and 50 years were during a time period of 28 days daily exposed to a daily exposition of different glucans. For this purpose O/W skin cremes with the composition stated in table 1 was made by mixing of the phases I and II at 95° C.

TABLE 1 Composition of O/W Skin Cremes Composition Phase I Phase II Cetylstearyl alcohol 8.0 — Ceteareth-12 1.5 — Ceteareth-20 1.5 — Cetearyl isononanoate 15.0 Paraffin oil, viscous 5.0 Baysilon oil M 300 5.0 Glucan 20.0 Glycerol 6.0 Water — 38.0 Sum 36.0 64.0

The probands used the skin cremes daily before going to bed. With intervals of 7 days the number, depth and lenght of the skin wrinkles were determined for each of the participants by means of profilometry of a selected part of the skin, i.e. a vertcal stripe of 2 cm width and 5 cm length, having an upper left and right boundary. which occurs if from the nose root a horizontal line is drawn, from this and against the right eye 2, respectively 4 cm, are cleared away and both resulting points in each case are elongated in an angle of 270° in each case 2 cm. The dimensionless product of depht, number and lenght of the skin wrinkles on the day before the beginning of the exposure was set as standard (=100%), and all the following measurements were related to this. At the same time the skin roughness of the pro-bands was evaluated on a scale from 0 =“unchanged” to 3=“strongly improved”. The results are summarized in table 2. Example 1 is according to the invention, the examples V1 to V7 are for comparison. It can be seen that the water soluble β-(1,3) glucans of the invention, which have no (1,6) linkages, exhibit a better effect than known glucans according to the state of the art.

TABLE 2 Skin ageing and Skin Roughness Skin ageing after [d] in [%] Skin ageing after [d] Ex. Glucan 0 7 14 21 28 0 7 14 21 28 1 β-1,3 Glucan 100 96 91 85 79 0 1 2 3 3 V1 Schizophyllan¹⁾ 100 98 95 90 86 0 0 1 2 3 V2 Krestin³⁾ 100 99 96 92 88 0 0 0 1 2 V3 Sclereoglucan⁴⁾ 100 100 99 96 88 0 0 0 1 2 V4 CM-Glucan⁵⁾ 100 100 99 96 95 0 0 0 1 1 V5 Mannozym⁶⁾ 100 100 100 99 98 0 0 0 1 1 V6 Lichenin⁷⁾ 100 100 100 100 98 0 0 0 0 1 V7 Isolichenin⁸⁾ 100 100 100 100 98 0 0 0 0 1 Legend: ¹⁾Highcareen ® GS, Henkel KGA Düsseldorf ²⁾β-(1,3)-/β-(1,6) Glucan, extract from Schizophyllum Commune ³⁾β-(1,3)-β-(1,4)-β(1,6) Glucan-protein (30%) complex, extract from Conolossus versicolor ⁴⁾β-(1,3)/β-(1,6) Glucane, Extract from Sclereoticum glucanium ⁵⁾Carboxymethylated β-(1,3) glucan, extract from Saccharomyces cervisiae ⁶⁾α-Mannene with branches, extract from Saccharomyces cervisiae ⁷⁾β-(1,3)/β-(1,4) Glucan + α-(1,3)/α-(1,4) glucan mixture, extract from Cetraria islandica (extract of lichen) 

1. A method of treating skin conditions or skin diseases comprising applying to the skin a preparation comprising water soluble β-(1,3) glucans, which have intact β-(1,3) side chains and are free from repetitive β-(1,6) linkages, as active substances.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the glucans are used in amounts of 0.1% to 25% by weight based on the preparation.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin conditions or skin diseases are selected from the group consisting of wrinkles, cellulitis, cradle cap, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrhea sicca, seborrhea oleosa, psoriasis vulgaris, ichtyoses and UV erythemas.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the skin condition is wrinkles.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the skin condition is UV erythemas.
 6. A glucan for use in a therapeutic composition for treatment of skin conditions or skin diseases, wherein said glucan comprises water soluble β-(1,3) glucans, which have intact β-(1,3) side-chains and are free from repetitive β-(1,6) linkages.
 7. The glucan of claim 6, wherein the said glucans are based on yeast of the family Saccharomyces.
 8. The glucan of claim 6, wherein said glucans are obtained by contacting glucans with β-(1,3) and β-(1,6) linkages with β-(1,6) glucanases.
 9. The glucan of claim 8, wherein said glucanases are based on Trichoderma harzianum.
 10. The glucan of claim 6, wherein said glucans are used in amounts of 0.1% to 25% by weight relative to the therapeutic composition.
 11. The glucan of claim 6, wherein the skin conditions or skin diseases are selected from the group consisting of wrinkles, cellulite, cradle cap, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, seborrhea sicca, seborrhea oleosa, psoreasis vulgaris, ichtyoses and UV erythema.
 12. The glucan of claim 11, wherein the skin condition is wrinkles.
 13. The glucan of claim 11, wherein the skin condition is UV erythemas.
 14. A glucan for use in a therapeutic composition for treatment of skin aging, wherein said glucan comprises water soluble β-(1,3) glucans, which have intact β-(1,3) side-chains and are free from repetitive β-(1,6) linkages.
 15. The glucan of claim 14, wherein said glucans are based on yeast of the family Saccharomyces.
 16. The glucan of claim 14, wherein said glucans are obtained by contacting glucans with β-(1,3) and β-(1,6) linkages with β-(1,6) glucanases.
 17. The glucan of claim 16, wherein said glucanases are based on Trichoderma harzianum.
 18. The glucan of claim 14, wherein said glucans are used in amounts of 0.1% to 25% by weight relative to the therapeutic composition.
 19. The method of treating aging of the skin comprising applying to the skin a preparation comprising water soluble β-(1,3) glucans, which have intact β-(1,3) side chains and are free from repetitive β-(1,6) linkages as active substances.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the glucans are used in amounts of 0.1% to 25% by weight based on the preparation. 